I have a trio of Anconas I am waiting on to start laying (and who are quite busy practicing their mating techniques the last few months).
I would like to breed my very solidly built boy to some great layers and really maximize the DP potential of the breed while maintaining Holderead's standards for the breed. But, what I wonder is, if their eggs look the same, how do you know which girls are the best layers?
(I also have placed my order for some Anconas from Boondockers Farm, I am splitting a shipment with a friend, 10 for me, 5 for her. They won't lay right off, but my black hen has some buff coloration on her head, and will be predominantly used as a layer hen - I am a baker by trade & prefer the duck eggs for my purposes, so I don't mind having a breeding pen & a laying pen.)
I have plans for a big renovation of the duck house in March, and the new ducklings come in May. I will have 2 pens for the ducks - a layer & breeder pen - that can be combined into one once breeding season ends, so the ducklings can brood right next to the existing ducks from day one. I spoke with my "contractor" today, (my sort of FIL) and they are putting in electric & some great gravity fed watering systems for me, so outside brooding will be easy as pie (and I will be in on all the work & will know how to do it myself next time). It will also have a broody wing that can house 2 broody ducks at a time, if need be.
I would like to breed my very solidly built boy to some great layers and really maximize the DP potential of the breed while maintaining Holderead's standards for the breed. But, what I wonder is, if their eggs look the same, how do you know which girls are the best layers?
(I also have placed my order for some Anconas from Boondockers Farm, I am splitting a shipment with a friend, 10 for me, 5 for her. They won't lay right off, but my black hen has some buff coloration on her head, and will be predominantly used as a layer hen - I am a baker by trade & prefer the duck eggs for my purposes, so I don't mind having a breeding pen & a laying pen.)
I have plans for a big renovation of the duck house in March, and the new ducklings come in May. I will have 2 pens for the ducks - a layer & breeder pen - that can be combined into one once breeding season ends, so the ducklings can brood right next to the existing ducks from day one. I spoke with my "contractor" today, (my sort of FIL) and they are putting in electric & some great gravity fed watering systems for me, so outside brooding will be easy as pie (and I will be in on all the work & will know how to do it myself next time). It will also have a broody wing that can house 2 broody ducks at a time, if need be.